International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

A study in 2002 reviewed the outcomes of 11 different LCAs comparing refillable
against one-way packaging (including glass). 335 The study suggested that in terms of
five types of air pollutants, the use of refillable containers was, on balance, beneficial.
Refillables were also found to generate less solid waste per unit volume of packaged
beverage. Comparing refillables with one-way bottles, furthermore, revealed that
refillables use less water and use less energy. However, cans compared favourably to
refillable glass bottles in respect of water pollution and energy use. Conversely, a
study summarising the results of seven LCA studies of refillable glass versus
aluminium showed that all LCAs favoured refillable packaging with a 47-82%
reduction in water use.
IFEU undertook an LCA on beer packaging in Germany and concluded that from the
perspective of climate change, re-usable PET and glass bottles had the least
environmental burden producing less than half the emissions (expressed in CO2
equivalent) of the three one-way systems (see Figure 16-1).
Figure 16-1: Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Different Packaging Options
Source: IFEU (2003) Relevant Packaging for Beer, LCA III, in Peter Lee, Paul Vaughan,
Caroline Bartlett, Tracy Bhamra, Vicky Lofthouse and Rhoda Trimingham (2008)
Refillable Glass Beverage Container Systems in the UK, report for WRAP, June 2008.
Interestingly, the same organization – IFEU – undertook a separate analysis on
refillable packaging on behalf of PETCORE (the PET recycling company). 336 This study
suggested a more equivocal view. It highlighted the significance of assumptions
regarding collection and recovery of used packaging, and distribution logistics.
The 2006 Beer Store Annual Report 2006 included LCAs provided by the Canadian
Government. The Beer Store, which is responsible for 75% of all beer sold in Ontario,
335 Institute for Local Self-reliance (2002) Environmental Benefits of Refillable Beverage Containers,
Washington: ILSR.
336 IFEU (2004) Okobilanz fur PET-Einwegsysteme unter Berucksichtigung der Sekundarprodukte,
Repoirt for PETCORE, August 2004.
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International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes